DZNE researchers have generated new insights into how the human genome shapes the chemical composition and concentration of blood lipids. They identified more than 50 regions across the genome with no previously known association with lipid metabolism. The findings, based on blood samples from more than 8,000 people, have the potential to improve our understanding of the aging process and pathological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and cardiovascular dysfunction. The results were published in a scientific journal nature communications. These are based on the sample and additional research data from the Rhineland Study, a population-based study conducted in Bonn, Germany.
Fat molecules, also called “lipids,” exist in the human body in a huge number of forms. They not only function as structural components such as cell membranes, but also participate in metabolism, especially signal transduction pathways. ”Fats are more than the “good” and “bad” cholesterol we often hear about. In fact, there are thousands of different lipids circulating in our bodies. Some of them are estimated to play important roles in aging and disease development. This is a complex molecular world. However, the genetic basis of many lipids is still poorly understood.” said Dr. Mohammed Aslam Imtiaz, a postdoctoral researcher at DZNE who studies how genetic factors influence human health.We were able to shed some light on this complex situation. To our knowledge, this is the most detailed study of lipid genetics to date.”
Dr. Elville Landstra, who was closely involved in this study and is currently a researcher in the Netherlands, added:Although the blueprint for lipids is not stored in the genome, the blueprint for the proteins and regulatory molecules that create lipid diversity is. This includes enzymes, so-called lipid transport proteins, and RNAs that control gene expression. We analyzed their genetic background using cutting-edge scientific methods.”
Germany and Finland data
The results are based on analysis of blood samples from more than 6,000 Bonn adults who took part in the Rhineland study. This DZNE population-based study is designed to be conducted over several decades and investigates how people age healthily. This result was validated using a similar analysis in another population-based study conducted in Brandenburg and data from a previously published study in Finland. In total, the datasets analyzed covered more than 8,000 individuals. A key role in this investigation was a bioinformatics approach called ‘genome-wide association studies’ (GWAS), which allowed the researchers to identify associations between genomic features and more than 900 different lipids.
Importance to aging and health
”We have identified a number of previously unknown genes that affect lipids in the body. This is important because some of these molecules are associated with the aging process and serious diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, type 2 diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.“said Professor Dr. Monique Bretterer, Director of the Rhineland Study and Head of Population Health Sciences at DZNE.”Accurately characterizing the relationship between genetics and lipids will also lead to a better understanding of how disease develops. Such insights can help improve the assessment of disease risk, support the development of new diagnostics, and enable more efficient treatments.”
sauce:
DZNE – German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Reference magazines:
Landstra, EN; Others. (2026). Population-based genome-wide association study of plasma complex lipid species. Nature Communications. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-72542-1. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-72542-1
